One thing Microsoft has going for it is its incredible market share of the desktop PC software. It is such a cash cow that I often refer to Microsoft as a bank. Every couple years they merely print more money. This (coming) year's mega-USD minted edition is called Vista.

That near monopoly position is hard to bet against. So, while the Internet market represents the game plan for Microsoft, it is software like Vista that pays the bills, and that isn't going away anytime soon.

Google, on the other hand, is in hand-to-hand combat with a growing number of guerrilla forces, all looking for a piece. As good as they are, Google could soon hit the Law of Big Numbers that once hit Microsoft. But they don't have a Vista putting money into the bank every year.

Based on past operating metrics, I couldn't possibly consider Microsoft for the Cara 100. But you know, maybe (like Altria) there is a personal bias involved here because I pull out my hair every day for the software "issues" I face with Microsoft. I really ought to focus on the company, and what expert analysts are opining for their future.

The UBS report on Microsoft is available here. Revenue and EBIT growth continues to smoke, and the cash is being returned in the form of share buy-backs and capex.

What's not to like?

Microsoft will definitely go into the Cara 250. :-)